Who I Am

Matt Johnson

Chief Editorial Officer

I'd never publish anything without my editor. Best in the business. She once stabbed a guy over a semicolon.

Varric Tethras, Dragon Age: Inquisition

The Main Quest

When I grow up, I want to be a writer.

A lifelong film buff, avid reader, and video game geek, I’ve dreamed of telling the types of stories that kept me enraptured since I was twelve years old.

I saw this as my main quest - a lifelong journey towards earning a spot among my favorite writers.

In pursuit of this quest, I learned as much as I could about the art and craft of writing. In college, I majored in English Literature with a minor in Creative Writing.

I wrote, revised, and wrote some more.

I leveled up.

In 2012, I had my first short story published.

Success! (Well, sort of).

I would wander the literary desert for another six years before I was published a second time.

Turns out that in real life, no game guide reveals the secret path to success. No cheat code lets us skip straight to the final boss.

So what did I do in those six years?

I went to graduate school, earning a masters in English Literature with an emphasis on teaching writing.

I learned two deeply important things in grad school:

Moby Dick is widely considered a classic. It should not be.
While I am a good writer, I am a great editor.

A new main quest began to take shape.

After graduate school, I worked as a traveling creative writing instructor for a non-profit, helping hundreds of underserved youth discover new ways to express themselves through words.

I continued to write, and had my second short story published in 2018, with additional stories published since.

I became a professor at Sacramento City College, specializing in writing and composition courses.

In 2019, I was invited to teach beginning and advanced fiction writing classes at CSU Sacramento's summer academy, which I have done ever since.

When I was laid off from my full time role at Sacramento City College during the pandemic, I used the skills I developed working with my students to become a freelance editor.

In 2025, I decided to merge my two professional passions - teaching writing and editing - into a single business - Wondermind Editorial.

Wondermind is the culmination of over a decade of writing, editing, and teaching experience.

I'm eager to share my editing skills and love of storytelling with likeminded creatives, and help you take your work to the next level.

Whether your goal is to top a bestseller list, share your memoirs with the world, or simply streamline your message, I am excited to join you on your quest!

The Side Quests

Because there's always more to the story.

Screenwriting

Need another pair of eyes on that screenplay you're working on, or want to know what it takes to go from script to finished product?

I've written and directed two award-winning short films, and I'm ready to share the good, bad, and ugly of bringing your vision to life on screen. Whether you're adapting an existing story for the screen or creating something entirely new, I can help with all aspects of completing your screenplay and turning it into a finished product.

Blogging

Before the implosion of Medium, I was among the recipients of their Creator Fellowship - given to the top 500 writers on the site. I've blogged on disability advocacy (more on that below), humor, pop culture, and mental health - even winning some awards (and a dedicated podcast episode!) along the way.

I can help you define your audience, find a niche, and tell the types of creative nonfiction stories that resonate with readers.

Disability

When I was in my early twenties, I was injured in a diving accident. No, not a Navy SEAL situation (that would make a much better story!). I jumped into the shallow end of a pool, shattering my C-5 vertebrae. I have been a quadriplegic ever since.

I'm a writer and speaker on disability advocacy, mental health and resiliency in the face of life-changing events, and finding the humor in even the darkest moments. If you're looking for a subject matter expert, need a sensitivity reading for disabled characters, or want to explore this often-overlooked perspective, I can help.

Creative Writing Workshops

Remember when I said I was a creative writing instructor and professor? I've worked with all ages, from kindergarten to senior citizens, helping people express themselves through writing. Whether you're looking for one-on-one sessions to help unleash your inner creativity, or would like to involve a larger community group, I can tailor workshops to your specific goals.